Verbena named &#39;Lobena&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new Verbena plant particularly distinguished by its large blue violet flower, early flowering, and a semi-erect habit that becomes spreading as plant develops.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0001] The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Verbena, botanically known as Verbena*hybrida. The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of Y708 and W693. Y708 is a blue flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. Y708 is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. W693 is a scarlet flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. W693 is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither Y708 or W693 has been patented. As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 1997 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, France over a three year period. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations, and this novelty appears to be firmly fixed.

[0002] This new Verbena plant is an annual in most climatical zones in the US, only in zones 9 and 10 it is a perennial plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0003] This new Verbena plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full colour, the colour shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

[0004] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of this new Verbena. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 14 weeks old plants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse. Colour readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Colour references are primarily to the RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

[0005] The plant:

[0006]Classification.—Botanical: Verbena*hybrida.

[0007]Parentage.—Female parent A seedling named Y708 is one of our seedlings from our Y-generation of plants bred in 1995. Pollen parent: A seedling named W693 is one of our seedlings from our W-generation of plants bred in 1993.

[0008]Growth habit.—Spreading, later hanging.

[0009]Plant height.—15-20 cm.

[0010]Spreading area of plant.—50-80 cm.

[0011]Growth rate.—Hanging and vigorous.

[0012]Strength.—Very good.

[0013]Branching Character.—Very good branching.

[0014]Blooming period.—From April till November.

[0015] The stem:

[0016]Diameter.—2-2.5 mm.

[0017]Shape.—Tetragonal.

[0018]Anthocyan pigmentation.—Absent.

[0019]Length of internode.—20-50 mm, depending on the light where the plant is propagated.

[0020]Pubescence.—Some pubescence is present.

[0021] The foliate:

[0022]Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

[0023]Shape of blade.—Broadly ovate.

[0024]Texture.—Simple lobed.

[0025]Length.—20-45 mm.

[0026]Width.—20-36 mm.

[0027]Depth of incision.—5-15 mm.

[0028]Colour.—Upper side Dark green 137A Lower side: Medium green 141B.

[0029]Pubescence.—Some pubescence is present.

[0030]Length of leaf stem.—5-10 mm.

[0031] The bud:

[0032]Peduncle length.—40-80 mm, depending on season.

[0033]Size.—Diameter 2 mm Length: 8-12 mm.

[0034]Shape.—Long.

[0035]Colour.—Medium green 141A.

[0036]Sepals.—Colour Light green 137C Form: Standing up.

[0037] The flower:

[0038]Direction.—Ascending.

[0039]Outward curvation of petal.—Medium curved.

[0040]Diameter.—15-17 mm.

[0041]Height.—16-18 mm.

[0042]Borne.—In a cluster.

[0043]Form.—Horizontal symmetric.

[0044]Cluster.—Umbel.

[0045]Colour.—Blue-Violet 89B.

[0046]Eye.—A very small (2 mm) pinkish Eye is present. Typically three out of the five petals exhibit this green-white colouration at their bases.

[0047]Overlapping of petals.—Separate.

[0048]No. of petals.—5.

[0049]Shape of the petals.—Gamopetalous, grown together at the base of the petal. Each petal is irregularly heart-shaped at the top.

[0050]Size of the petal.—Length: 7-10 mm Width: 5-7mm.

[0051]Spike.—Length 20-40 mm Diameter: 25-45 mm.

[0052]Calyx.—Length of 10-12 mm.

[0053]Anthocyan pigmentation of calyx limb.—Absent.

[0054]No. of flowers per spike 20-35.

[0055]Fragrance.—A very light, rosy sweet fragrance.

[0056]Reproductive organs.—1 pistil, 5 stamens Seeds are not formed at all The plant is sterile.

[0057] Roots:

[0058]Type of roots.—Fibrous. Roots start to grow on every part of the stem that contacts de soil, so not only at the nodes.

Physiological and Ecological Characteristics

[0059] Good tolerance to heat and cold. Strong resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterised particularly as to novelty by big blue-violet flowers, which appear earlier on the plant, and a growing habit that is first spreading and later hanging. 